NEWS

When BFD may not be the end of your day or regatta

15 December 2013David Healey

"Look for this, all right!"

A few of us that attended the Worlds in Italy had an introduction to Code Flag U thanks the efforts of our President, Jake Gunther. This is a new flag that can be used as an alternative to the Black Flag in the starting sequence.

Appendix L - Sailing Instructions Guide has the following alternative at clause 11.5:

May be used as an alternative to rule 30.3

11.5

If Flag U has been displayed as the preparatory signal, no part of a boat's hull, crew or equipment shall be in the triangle formed by the ends of the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before her starting signal. If a boat breaks this rule and is identified, she shall be disqualified without a hearing, but not if the race is restarted or resailed or postponed or abandoned before the starting signal. This changes RRS 26.

The beauty of this rule is that if the race is subject to a General Recall, or is blown up before the first mark, then all boats that would have been generally caught by the'Black Flag' rule will be able to compete in the restart of that race.